Question

Answer the question given below the extract.

“Well, I think it is a poor way to foil an assassin.”

1. What was Lady Weston reacting to?
2. Was she right in her assumption? Give a reason.
3. Do you approve of Lady Weston’s reaction to the situation?

Answer 1

1. Lady Weston is reacting to Lord Weston loading his rusty, unused pistol to protect himself from the supposed assassin.
2. Her concern is reasonable: she says the rusty pistol might do anything, and using it could put Weston in danger. However, the play does not show the pistol actually exploding.
3. Her humour helps expose the absurdity of Weston’s panic, while her practical advice is sensible. In a real emergency, though, a calm and serious warning would be more appropriate.